As the Tulip Sho drew closer, Fujiwara Chiya made his final pre-race adjustments. He called Mejiro Dober to his office and explained the race plan to her.
"Your advantage lies in long-distance acceleration. Once the race enters the final four hundred metres, you can begin moving. Shirayuki's range is a little shorter, so she'll need to wait until the three-hundred-metre mark. If you can open up enough distance during that one hundred metres between you, your chance of winning this race will be high."
Fujiwara Chiya handed her the completed plan.
"Your ability has improved tremendously during this period. I'm sure you'll achieve a brilliant result in this race."
Mejiro Dober accepted the sheet and nodded. Then a worried expression appeared on her face.
"Trainer, if you help me this much, then Shirayuki…"
"You don't need to worry about Shirayuki's side. I have my own arrangements. Honestly, there's no decision more difficult than having members of the same team race against each other. I don't want either of you to lose, but sometimes, things simply can't be perfect for everyone. All I can do is fulfill my responsibility. Since you want to win, I'll do everything I can to help you win."
Mejiro Dober clenched her fist.
Looking at the conflicted yet resolute face of the man in front of her, she understood what kind of internal struggle he had gone through, and what kind of sacrifice he had made. Everything he had done was for her sake.
Between family affection and duty, Trainer had chosen the latter.
How many people in the world could go that far?
Honestly, Mejiro Dober felt extremely fortunate that she had joined Trainer's team back then. She tightly gripped Fujiwara Chiya's hand.
"Yes. I won't let Trainer's efforts go to waste!"
Fujiwara Chiya stared at her blankly.
Realizing what she had done, Mejiro Dober quickly let go.
"N-no, um, I just wanted to express my gratitude to Trainer."
"I see. You scared me. I thought even you had fallen for me too."
Fujiwara Chiya laughed a few times. Mejiro Dober's face visibly turned red. She grabbed the race plan from earlier, bowed to Fujiwara Chiya, then immediately turned and ran out.
"?"
That was different from what I imagined. Normally, after a joke like that, shouldn't Dober snap back with something like, "As if that would happen"?
Before Fujiwara Chiya could think too deeply about it, another person walked in through the door. Her beautiful black hair reflected her clean and decisive personality, while the red eyeshadow at the corners of her eyes added a faintly bewitching charm.
Air Groove had come to Fujiwara Chiya's office.
"Trainer, how is Shirayuki's training going?"
"She's grasped a little of it, but she's still far from your level."
"I see…"
Air Groove touched her face lightly.
Fujiwara Chiya waited for her response. Right now, she could be considered Shirayuki's teacher. Many parts of Shirayuki's training were being handled by her. In a roundabout way, she was also Chiya's teacher, since the things she was teaching were things even Chiya did not know.
"Shirayuki has talent and resolve, but she's still missing something. Her talent isn't top-tier." As if discussing a child, Air Groove spoke to Fujiwara Chiya about Shirayuki. "I had hoped to teach her within a month, but she's still just a little short. If only we had more time."
At that moment, Fujiwara Chiya, a grown man in his twenties, actually could not raise his head in front of Air Groove. After all, in a certain sense, when she spoke about Shirayuki, she was speaking about him too.
"Um… what should I do?"
"Presence can be drawn out and stimulated. So if we want her to grow faster, the best method is to run alongside her."
Air Groove walked up to Fujiwara Chiya.
"There are only a few days left until the race. Trainer, can you include me in Shirayuki's training plan? If I remember correctly, Shirayuki should still have stamina training scheduled. I want to come and run beside her then. That won't be a problem, right?"
"N-no problem."
Pressed back by Air Groove's presence, Fujiwara Chiya leaned away slightly as he answered.
Why does it feel like she's the one who's Shirayuki's trainer?
Fujiwara Chiya understood now why Air Groove was so popular among the students. She possessed the aura of a leader. Her gaze seemed capable of making all things kneel before her.
This was the strength of the current Empress. Shirayuki, as the second generation, still had a long way to go.
"Then I apologize for disturbing you. I'll come again this afternoon."
After saying that, Air Groove turned with dignified grace and left the office.
Air Groove had completely started treating Shirayuki as her own junior. She was spending most of her time training Shirayuki. Since that was the case, he also had to respond to the expectations of the Empress.
It was true that Mejiro Dober was a powerful opponent, and the race plan Fujiwara Chiya had given her was genuine. If Mejiro Dober followed his plan, Shirayuki would have an extremely difficult time winning this race.
But difficult did not mean impossible.
While Mejiro Dober had been growing, Shirayuki had also been training intensely. Through dual training of mind and body, she was no longer that inexperienced Uma Musume from before.
Their abilities were close.
In that case, this race would be a contest of resolve and willpower.
Three days later, on the day of the Tulip Sho, Fujiwara Chiya's team gathered at Tracen's front gate. Everyone's face carried a hint of unease.
It was no wonder. After all, no matter whom they cheered for, it felt wrong. If they wanted Shirayuki to win, what about Dober? If they wanted Dober to win, it would be hard to face Shirayuki. Because of that, the team was wrapped in a strange silence. Even Gold Ship, unusually, did not say anything random. She stood at the side, looking at Fujiwara Chiya with slight concern.
At a time like this, it was the trainer's job to take control.
"Let's go. To the racecourse."
There was no need for more words. Fujiwara Chiya had already said what needed to be said. Both Mejiro Dober and Shirayuki had made up their minds. There was not the slightest wavering in either of their eyes.
Hearing Fujiwara Chiya say that, Gold Ship immediately returned to her usual attitude. She charged ahead first, shouting excitedly, "This race is gonna be one huge showdown!"
It seemed she knew Trainer had already resolved the conflict.
At the same time, in the Student Council room, everyone turned on the television broadcast and began watching the race.
Air Groove, Rudolf, and Narita Brian sat together. Behind Rudolf, Tokai Teio was practically hanging onto her. Recently, Teio had truly been suffering under Air Groove. Every time she tried to get close to Shirayuki, she was chased away. She was not even allowed to hug her. Full of resentment, she leaned away from Air Groove, keeping some distance. Rudolf patted her lightly, telling her not to overdo it.
"Air Groove, do you think Shirayuki can win this race?"
After hesitating for a moment, Air Groove said, "If Shirayuki had more time to train, she would definitely be able to win. But right now, her level is close to Dober's."
"So you can't say for certain?" Rudolf pinched her chin.
"Presence is something that naturally appears once someone is pushed to the limit," Narita Brian said calmly, arms crossed. "Don't forget. Shirayuki is the White Wolf."